Why 2015 was my best year yet!

Monday, 21 December 2015

Hello Everyone!

To be perfectly honest, when 2015 began I had very little idea about how this year would go. I had no plan, I just got my first full time job and I still had no idea what I wanted as a career. Fast forward to the end of the year where I'm really happy with how my life is right now and I've definitely changed a lot since the beginning of 2015. This year has made me reassess everything and I know now that I'm on the right path.

Here's why it was my best year yet:

I've never been fitter or healthier
My health and fitness has definitely been kicked up a notch this year. For starters, I joined a gym and found an awesome personal trainer. I kept it up through the year, although since getting back from Hawaii I'm far more determined and have set some clearer goals. I also ran a half-marathon (yup, the whole way!) and I am a heck of a lot better with my food choices. I'm one of those annoying health food people now, I know this because I got excited over chia seed peanut butter the other day...but I'm in love with my healthier lifestyle! I don't think I've ever had better body confidence.

I started taking blogging seriously
I love blogging. I really do. Most of you won't know that this is actually Hello, Steph 2.0 since I was so unhappy with my first blog, that I only had for a few months so I deleted it. I'm quite proud of how I've stuck to blogging this time and I absolutely love it. I'm still finding my feet, but I can't imagine giving it up now.

I conquered my fear of the ocean
Yup, this year on our trip to Hawaii we decided to go on a Dolphin experience which meant swimming out in a bay. Usually, if I can't see or touch the bottom of the ocean I will freak out thinking something might grab me. But I got in that water! It was all worth it when I saw a pod of dolphins swimming about 8ft from me. I wouldn't rush back to do it, but I'm still proud of myself. I only started to panic once, but that was my brothers fault for abandoning the buddy system and leaving me by myself. I don't think I've ever swam faster than I did to get back to the boat!

I learned to understand how my brain works
Before 2015 I only had a vague idea of what it means to be introverted or have anxiety. I just used to think I was weaker than other people for not being able to control my emotions. How stupid I was for thinking that! I know now that my brain just works in a particular way, and accepting this has made my life a lot easier. I know I can't handle over-stimulating situations, which is why I politely decline invitations to go clubbing. There's nothing wrong with me, and I'm definitely not the only one.

I finally decided on what I want to do with my life
I think I'm finally over the "I've left uni, now what do I do?" phase of my life, thank goodness. Because that time was incredibly horrible! This year when I took up blogging I don't think I realized how much it would start meaning to me. It never feels like I'm doing work, and the fact that I was happily spending my days off my actual job working on my blog showed me how much I wanted to do it everyday. I also realized how much I NEED to be my own boss and to have a creative job, which is why I am currently trying to build my own brand. #GIRLBOSS in the making!

#LOVEMYSELF and being happy on my ownI think it's been a blessing to have been single for the first few years of my twenties. While I've always been independent, there's an art to being alone but not lonely. I mastered this in 2015, even as all of my friends either got boyfriends, got engaged, or had babies. I also learned to love and accept myself, as well being my own best friend, which will most definitely help me in future relationships. I'm like the Niall Horan of my group of friends, waiting for what I know I deserve and enjoying life along the way.

A nice productive year, if I do say so myself. Here's to 2016 being even better!